Obituary for Irene Mary De Gusseme
Obituary for Irene Mary De Gusseme
August 5, 1932 - October 10, 2023
Irene De Gusseme (nee Alloro) passed away peacefully in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, on October 10, 2023 with family by her side. She was 91.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Enos Alloro; her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Hector (2014); and her daughter, Laurie Basso (2021). She was also predeceased by her sister Doris and husband Ken Wartie; her brother George and wife Evelyn; and her sisters, Jean Ellis and Enes Staples.
Irene is survived by 11 of her 12 children: Diane, Brian (Cathy), Carmen (Rob), Larry (Lucy), Neil (Wendy), Wayne (Gwen), Tracy (Mac), Dawn Marie (Rob), Raymond (Marianne), Della (Derek), and Denis (Wendy).
Irene is also survived by her brother-in-law, Fred Ellis; her son-in-law, Leo Basso; her 34 grandchildren; her 20 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She grew up in Vancouver and Calgary, Alberta. She graduated as a Registered Nurse (RN) from Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital in 1953. While still completing her nurse training, Irene met Hector De Gusseme. They were married on May 1, 1954.
Irene worked as an RN at St. Paul’s Hospital and at St. Mary’s Hospital (New Westminster, BC) as they began welcoming their children. Through the years, they lived in Burnaby, Calgary, Richmond and Coquitlam.
Irene was devoted to God, her husband Hector, family, friends and church. She created a welcoming home, cooked amazing meals, and always had reserves of delicious baked goods ready to serve to family and visitors.
Irene was hard-working, organized and determined. She loved to stay in close contact with loved ones by talking on the phone or by writing cards and letters. She was loving and caring, kind and compassionate, forgiving and supportive, generous, grateful and modest. She embraced her Canadian identity and her Italian heritage.
Irene also loved to watch the many birds and squirrels that visited the beautiful gardens that Hector planted many years ago.
Irene volunteered for many years at All Saints Catholic Church in Coquitlam where she was a member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). She was also a long-time volunteer at Royal Columbian Hospital (New Westminster, BC) where she was a "baby cuddler" in the Maternity Department.
Irene will be forever loved and always remembered.
Rejoice! Her peaceful and eternal life with God, and the souls of those that went before, has now begun.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 821 Fairfax Street, Coquitlam, BC. A reception will follow at 12:40 p.m. in the church activity centre. The burial service will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Robinson Memorial Park Cemetery, 621 Robinson Street, Coquitlam, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Irene’s name to the
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
August 5, 1932 - October 10, 2023
Irene De Gusseme (nee Alloro) passed away peacefully in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, on October 10, 2023 with family by her side. She was 91.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Elizabeth and Enos Alloro; her loving husband of nearly 60 years, Hector (2014); and her daughter, Laurie Basso (2021). She was also predeceased by her sister Doris and husband Ken Wartie; her brother George and wife Evelyn; and her sisters, Jean Ellis and Enes Staples.
Irene is survived by 11 of her 12 children: Diane, Brian (Cathy), Carmen (Rob), Larry (Lucy), Neil (Wendy), Wayne (Gwen), Tracy (Mac), Dawn Marie (Rob), Raymond (Marianne), Della (Derek), and Denis (Wendy).
Irene is also survived by her brother-in-law, Fred Ellis; her son-in-law, Leo Basso; her 34 grandchildren; her 20 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Irene was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She grew up in Vancouver and Calgary, Alberta. She graduated as a Registered Nurse (RN) from Vancouver's St. Paul's Hospital in 1953. While still completing her nurse training, Irene met Hector De Gusseme. They were married on May 1, 1954.
Irene worked as an RN at St. Paul’s Hospital and at St. Mary’s Hospital (New Westminster, BC) as they began welcoming their children. Through the years, they lived in Burnaby, Calgary, Richmond and Coquitlam.
Irene was devoted to God, her husband Hector, family, friends and church. She created a welcoming home, cooked amazing meals, and always had reserves of delicious baked goods ready to serve to family and visitors.
Irene was hard-working, organized and determined. She loved to stay in close contact with loved ones by talking on the phone or by writing cards and letters. She was loving and caring, kind and compassionate, forgiving and supportive, generous, grateful and modest. She embraced her Canadian identity and her Italian heritage.
Irene also loved to watch the many birds and squirrels that visited the beautiful gardens that Hector planted many years ago.
Irene volunteered for many years at All Saints Catholic Church in Coquitlam where she was a member of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). She was also a long-time volunteer at Royal Columbian Hospital (New Westminster, BC) where she was a "baby cuddler" in the Maternity Department.
Irene will be forever loved and always remembered.
Rejoice! Her peaceful and eternal life with God, and the souls of those that went before, has now begun.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2023 at All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 821 Fairfax Street, Coquitlam, BC. A reception will follow at 12:40 p.m. in the church activity centre. The burial service will begin at 2:30 p.m. at Robinson Memorial Park Cemetery, 621 Robinson Street, Coquitlam, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Irene’s name to the
St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation or the Canadian Wildlife Federation.